RE: recharging batteries-
have a multimeter available to check the voltage before use. saves a lot of time when you can pick out the shorted ones.

In a marina environment, the batteries on the positive end can corrode and short. remove the plastic shrink label to reveal the metal -v case. remove any fiber washers used to dress up the positive end which absorb moisture and salt. coat the batteries with Corrosion Block (WM and other vendors have)

do this when the batteries are new. it is possible to renew a rusted battery but don't count on it.

also give a squirt of Corrosion Block in the battery compartment, jack plugs and any circuit boards you can expose.

in the middle of the pacific, Corrosion Block is worth it's weight in gold.

can't always receive weatherfax in a metropolitan area. I didn't get reception until I was down the coast at the channel islands (California). the signal from the transmitter station isn't strong enough to overcome all the noise in a modern environment.

the standards were put in place before there was a lot of carp in the air; cellphones and such.

which says it was updated 4/2013. Anyone have other websites with broadcast schedules that they like, for the east coast?

I did try turning off all the power on the boat, and even getting away from the boat on the dingy, but it made little difference. A few week stations did go away, but the strong ones were fine.

Great info about the weatherfax, thank you Conachair. If I ever get reception, I will try it.

Keyspc - I think that is basically the same antenna I have. I have a 30 foot wire that plugs into the radio with a 3.5 mm jack, like the one in the ad. I assume the round plastic case is for winding up the cord?

I do wonder if my wind generator is interfering. I do turn it off, and put it in 'Brake' mode, but it still spins a little. But getting away from the boat altogether with the radio didnt help so far.

I didnt get the broadcasts in Miami, and now, not in Bimini or 15 miles south of there in a remote, clutter free area. Is it possible I will get the broadcasts as I head further east, or should I really already be getting them here?